The Fiddle-Leaf Fig care guide

Let’s about the fussy fiddle-leaf fig plant aptly named after the fiddle instrument today. Those iconic leaves. Swoon.

Fiddle-leaf fig plants (Ficus lyrata) are fairly easy to acquire as most garden centers have them even in the dead of winter.

Why wouldn’t you want a tall statement plant that boasts large, shiny, and thick violin-shaped leaves? Leaves that can measure a whopping 15 inches long and 10 inches wide. Few other plants can make this claim.

I was putzing around the houseplant section at the local garden center and noticed FLFs at reasonable priced.

I also noted a few Monstera deliciosa and Monstera adansonii plants. None of the plants had labels because no one labels plants anymore. Have you noticed that trend?

But I am off-topic because the star of the show today is the fiddle-leaf fig.

Here’s why you need one now!!

What separates the Fiddle-Leaf Fig from the rest of the bunch?

Those marvelous violin-shaped leaves. Is your heart fluttering yet?

Grown indoors, your leaves will measure roughly 12 inches long by 9 inches wide. My biggest leaf is 14 inches by 11 inches. I know this because I just took a break to measure mine.

Light green leaves that boast a super glossy surface with prominent veins. Its large-shaped leaves and shrubby stature (if pruned correctly) make it a desirable indoor accent plant.

To promote branching and to retain top growth, pinch young top growth.

But no self-respecting fiddle-leaf fig is a table plant. It’s strictly a floor plant. So get a pot of substance when you go to re-pot or it will surely topple over. A ceramic pot with some heft is ideal!

After all, a fiddle leaf fig plant can grow up to 6 feet tall even in an indoor setting. Mine is actually over 6 ft!

An excellent large specimen plant when two or three stalks are planted together. The fiddle leaf fig plant is the best way to create green drama in your home.

To encourage vertical growth, the fiddle-leaf fig is a plant you want to rotate once a week or it will get lopsided. So switch which part gets the sunnier side every week to encourage straight growth.

A little background info on the Fiddle-Leaf Fig

No doubt you’ve seen the fiddle-leaf fig featured in a million magazines and all over TV on home makeover shows. Usually potted in some rattan basket.

And it’s been blasted all over Instagram and Pinterest The plant to rave over for the last 10 years. Mostly, it’s referred to as the fiddle-leaf fig but is also known as the Ficus lyrata or Bango Plant.

But the fiddle-leaf fig hails from Western Africa where it thrives in rainforest-like conditions….we’re talking dense, warm, and wet surroundings. Doesn’t sound like most of our homes and apartments.

So I won’t lie to you. I’ve had easier plants. Nonetheless, I have been the proud owner of a fiddle-leaf fig for 5 years now and haven’t killed this particular plant. (Thank you Cheri, this is the first plant you sent me.)

And I am a notorious indoor plant killer. Because I have slayed other FLF plants. {Insert big, sad sigh here}

Brown leaves…..ugh

I have noticed that brown leaves are a reality with fiddle-leaf figs. Usually, the culprit is not enough sun and too much water. So I snip brown leaves off at an of angle about 1/2 inch from the trunk.

Never cut too close to the trunk because you could damage it and kill your plant. Always use sharp and clean pruning shears.

Brown leaves unnecessarily drain energy from the plant. However, removing more than 5 leaves at a time is a risky move too, and could result in plant shock. Space it out.

So yes…those Instagram images showing off perfect and pristine fiddle-leaf fig plants are a lie!!!

Light & location for the fussy fiddle-leaf fig…

Light is no doubt the biggest factor in growing a fiddle-leaf fig. Choosing the right location from the get-go is vital.

Your fussy FLF demands the best spot in your home. Lots of bright, but mostly indirect sunlight is what it craves. But it also wants a few hours of direct sunlight daily once acclimated.

And fuss. Fuss. Fuss. Too little light and those leaves turn yellow falling out just to spite you. Too much light and the leaves get scorched.

Moreover, the fiddle-leaf fig hates drafts, so never place a fiddle-leaf fig near a drafty window, exterior door, or an air vent. Big no-no.

Temps between 60 degrees F. and 75 degrees F. is what the fiddle-leaf fig requires.

Once your FLF finds the ideal spot, don’t move this plant. Consistent conditions are absolute or it will die.

So temperature, humidity, and light must stay consistent. The FLF does not like change and will only flourish if it finds a happy, sunny spot in your home.

It’s okay to turn the plant once a week so that the leaves receive equal sunlight and don’t start to grow toward the light source.

Failure to rotate could result in a crooked plant.

Water requirements for the fussy fiddle-leaf fig

The fiddle-leaf fig is native to a rainforest environment. Translation: FLF’s are used to getting a huge deluge of water with dry spells in between.

In a home setting the solution is simple. Water your FLF every 10 days and certainly no more than once a week. Overwatering this plant is a huge mistake.

When you water, soak the plant until it’s dripping to ensure even those bottom roots get water. But drain the excess water after it has filtered through and never let this plant sit in water. FLF’s hate wet feet!

Plants sitting in water encourage both root rot and pests allowing dormant pathogens in the soil to flourish.

So letting the plant dry out completely starves those pathogens because they can’t feed on the root system~ meaning the plant lives to see another day. Can I get an amen?

Overwatering is a much bigger mistake than underwatering your fussy fiddle-leaf fig.

But you can’t win either way because both cause leaves to get unsightly brown spots. With underwatering leaves fall off; but overwatering causes a nasty smell at the roots and the leaves still fall out.

Staking your baby!

If you only stake one plant your entire life please make it the fiddle-leaf fig. Those “fiddle” shaped leaves are thick and surprisingly heavy for a leaf.

If you don’t stake, this plant grows topsy-turvey. It could get so bad that it completely topples over. Plunk.

We all want a plant that stands straight and strong! Not one that leans over or a trunk that can no longer stand on its own.

This is especially true if you plan on taking the fiddle-leaf outside for a little vacay, even if it’s just during the summer months. Any gush of wind and it’s all over, that plant is going to go plop.

My fiddle-leaf fig is now about 5 feet tall. And because fiddle-leaf figs don’t particularly appreciate change, I keep mine indoors year-round so wind isn’t an issue.

But if your plant is top-heavy pruning might be the answer.

To encourage top growth, you can pinch and snap off the bud at the top of the plant. If you see sap running…you’ve nailed it.

Conversely, if your FLF is just too tall, the whole top of the plant can be cut off (radical pinching).

Just be aware that your plant will recover but be a little less attractive until the top fills out again with new branches and leaves.

Is dusting your plant for real? And what about humidity?

Yes folks, dusting plants is a “thing” these days. I dust my plants on the same schedule that I dust my piano and computer desk. Dusty plants seem fake.

So I would encourage you to gently sponge leaves with a damp washcloth once a month. Use a mild soapy water to remove dust and help prevent insect infestations.

While you’re at it, don’t hesitate to dust all your big-leafed plants. They need you to care!

Fiddle-leaf figs are prone to those nasty mealy bugs and at times, spider mites, aphids, and scales. Blah. If the mild soap isn’t doing the trick, it might be time to spray it with an insecticide.

I now make my own neem oil and mist it every other day for pest prevention.

And when you’re done dusting, mist those big, bold leaves because the fiddle-leaf fig likes humidity. We’re talking humidity in the 60-80% range. But the FLF will take anything over 50% humidity.

The problem is that most of our homes hover around 40% humidity and that’s just not good enough. Lack of humidity causes leaves to shed. You’ll notice the leaves start to get brown edges. The beginning of the end for your plant.

So running a few extra humidifiers in your home is good for you and your plants. We have 5 humidifiers running all day long. But our wood stove dries the house out.

Being 100% honest about the finicky & fussy fiddle-leaf fig…

I enjoy writing about easy indoor plants that have brought me so much satisfaction. The FLF? Yes, gorgeous. Yes, stunning. But not easy. Easy does not describe the fiddle leaf fig. Not by a long shot.

The fussy fiddle-leaf fig is for those who have moderate houseplant experience. Those of us who have killed enough plants to know exactly what not to do.

The fiddle-leaf fig as your first plant? Nope. Don’t do that. Start with something easier like a pothos, snake plant, or even a monstera.

Biggest no-kill tip

The best way not to kill your FLF is to read up about it and be aware. It doesn’t have to take over your life but do inspect your plant every few weeks.

How’s it doing? Bad signs are brown or yellow leaves or leaves tinged with any discoloration. Wilted leaves are a sure sign something is amiss. Pests festering or buzzing around the roots or a musty smell is also a big negative.

It’s vital to catch any problems quickly and fix them ASAP or your plant is a goner.

Having killed several FLFs at the writing of this post: I can tell you this. Once the fiddle-leaf fig starts dropping leaves, it’s almost over. More light and less water or it’s dead.

Some leaf drop could be old-age, cold wind drafts, or lack of water. Regardless…leaf dropping is bad business in the FLF world.

Fertilizing your Fiddle-Leaf Fig!

Fertilize your FLF. I fertilize mine once a month spring and summer and never in fall or winter when the plant is dormant.

This gives the plant the chance to rest during a timespan when it requires less water and less nutrients.

I like a fertilizer that has a 3:1:2 nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK). Using a fertilizer that can be mixed right into your watering can is easiest from April to August to pump up your plant.

During the growing season, it’s a good idea to use a diluted fertilizer to foster the growth of branches and leaves for one sharp-looking plant! Just like watering, it’s better to under-fertilize than over-fertilize.

How many indoor plants did you kill this year?